El Camino Real Mission Bell Marker Project

Caltrans Landscape Architecture Program began in 1996 to fulfill its vision to restore the historic El Camino Real Mission Bell markers from San Francisco to San Diego. This vision was realized in early 2005. The bell marker system as originally envisioned (bells approximately 1-2 miles apart from San Diego to San Francisco on the historic route of the El Camino Real) in the earlier part of the last century has finally been realized.

The Landscape Architecture Program received a Federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) grant in 2000 for $1.4M to restore the Mission Bell Marker system on the legislatively designated El Camino Real from Orange County to San Francisco. Funding was received for the fabrication and installation of approximately 555 Mission Bell Markers, placed approximately one to two miles apart along the roadside in both the northbound and southbound directions on Route 101 and Route 82. The Mission Bell Marker project was programmed in the 2001/02 fiscal year and delivered in 3 separate contracts, one for each region of the State in which work was to be completed. This includes The Bay Area -Districts 4 (Oakland), the Central Coast - District 5 (San Luis Obispo), and the Southland - District 7 (Los Angeles).

Background

The Mission Bell Marker system has existed on the historic route of the El Camino Real since 1906. The original marker system intended installation of bells one mile apart along the entire length of the El Camino Real from San Diego to San Francisco. By 1913 over 450 markers were placed on this historic route. Over the years, the bells have been removed from the roadside due to damage, vandalism, and theft. In 1959 the Division of Highways was legislatively mandated to maintain the marker system. Legislation in 1974 reiterated that responsibility. Beginning in 1974 Caltrans tried to comply with this mandate however, constraints in maintenance resources have limited the success Caltrans has had in the maintenance of the system. Prior to this TEA project, less than 100 of the original Mission Bell Markers remained.

The Landscape Architecture Program in Caltrans Headquarters developed this statewide TEA project and produced the contract documents with support work for Environmental Determination, Right of Way Certification, and Construction administration provided by the Districts where the installation work was performed.

The Mission Bell Marker consists of a 18 inch diameter cast metal bell set atop a 3 inch diameter Schedule 40 pipe column that is attached to a concrete foundation using anchor rods. The bells are exact copies of the original 1906 bells, in fact the original bell molds were used to fabricate the bells.

Marker locations were chosen based on safety, contractibility, visibility and scenic quality of the site. Spacing between marker locations varies based on existing site conditions and limitations. An average spacing of 1 to 2 miles was sought when identifying the locations.

Project Personnel

Project Initiation
Keith Robinson, Principal Landscape Architect - (916) 654-6200

Project Manager, HQ
Chris Rossmiller, Landscape Architecture Program - (916) 654-5636